The UK Government has awarded funding to two Scottish-based AI projects to help develop agricultural technology as part of its £32 million boost for AI development across the UK.

A scheme using AI-enhanced robotics to automate manual tasks such as intricate trimming work on farms and replanting of crops has been awarded over £1.1 million.

The project is set to be delivered by the University of Aberdeen, alongside partners including the Aberdeen-based firm Leap Automation Limited, a company which specialises in developing robotics to be used in the food industry to cut costs and increase efficiency, and last year came third in KPMG’s annual UK Tech Innovator competition.

The other Scottish programme to win funding comes from Dyneval Limited, at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Innovation Centre, set to receive £99,868 for a project automating the detection of defects in animal sperm, which could help vets with fertility testing to improve livestock production rates.

Last year the company secured over £500,000 funds to accelerate the development of a portable instrument for semen analysis which it said could save the agricultural industry millions each year, as well as help farmers operate more sustainably and secure food supply chains.

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Commenting on the announcement, UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said: “The exciting thing about well-managed AI is that it can enhance and support all sectors. The two projects to receive funding in Scotland from today’s announcement will make a massive difference in agriculture – one from improving the production of livestock, while the other has the potential to improve the quality and yield of our crops.

“Harnessing and investing in technology in this way is essential for growth and for keeping Scotland and the UK at the front of the global stage in the advancement of AI.”

Across the UK, a further ninety-six projects have been greenlit, focusing on improving productivity and public services, backed through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund.